Snowmobiler Specific

The Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area is Open to Over-the-Snow Vehicles (including Snowmobiles) for the 2018 winter season on December 15, 2018. We have enough snow depth required for recreating with snowmobiles. The corridor on Hwy 108 is covered with sufficient snow to depart from below People's Gate. See you there!

THIS SNOWPACK SUMMARY EXPIRED ON March 17, 2019 @ 7:28 amSnowpack Summary published on March 15, 2019 @ 7:28 am

Issued by
Ryan Lewthwaite -

bottom line:

The deep snowpack & stable weather has us enjoying a Normal Caution scenario for the BWRA. Isolated pockets of Wind Slab can still be found on all aspects near & above treeline, but have been unreactive. Warmer afternoon temperatures could cause melting snow to avalanche in small Loose Wet releases. Please register for our Avalanche Awareness Class this evening in June Lake.

Avalanche Character 1: Normal Caution

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Use normal caution when travelling in the backcountry.

Time & stable weather has allowed our snowpack to grow stronger. Areas of isolated & shallow Wind Slabs still reside on all aspects near & above treeline, but have been unreactive lately. Uninhibited sunshine will melt snow throughout the day & afternoon Loose Wet avalanches, small in size, are possible. As we trend warmer by the end of the weekend expect the Loose Wet problem to become more prevalent.

Snowpack Discussion

For the most part we have a well structured snowpack that is transitioning to spring like conditions. Inconsistent winds from all directions has scoured & redeposited snow to shallow Wind Slabs on all aspects near & above treeline. These Wind Slabs could be reactive in isolated pockets, but are stubborn to tests. The foreseeable concern will be Loose Wet avalanche activity due to prolonged sun exposure. Snowmobiles have tested steeper slopes in the past few days causing little impact to the snowpack & no new avalanches.

~3/12 winds were observed blowing snow from the W-SW at ridgeline. Hard forces were needed to initiate fractures over 40 cm deep in the snowpack with compression tests.

CURRENT CONDITIONSWeather observations from Sonora Pass

0600 temperature:

15 deg. F.

Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:

31 deg. F.

Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:

North

Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:

Light mph

Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:

Moderate mph

New snowfall in the last 24 hours:

0 inches

Total snow depth:

103 inches

weather

A small inversion overnight is notable but will not effect snow conditions due to a solid refreeze. Early morning clouds will give way to abundant sunshine for the remainder of today. Winds will be light & from the East. No precipitation is forecasted until the middle of next week. Expect clear & trending warmer temps for the next few days.

Two-Day Mountain Weather ForecastProduced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 8000 ft. to 10000 ft.

Friday

Friday Night

Saturday

Weather:

Partly cloudy then becoming sunny.

Clear.

Sunny.

Temperatures:

36 to 42 deg. F.

16 to 22 deg. F.

38 to 46 deg. F.

Wind direction:

East

Light winds

Light winds

Wind speed:

10 mph

Light winds

Light winds

Expected snowfall:

0 in.

0 in.

0 in.

For above 10000 ft.

Friday

Friday Night

Saturday

Weather:

Partly cloudy then becoming sunny.

Clear.

Sunny.

Temperatures:

29 to 34 deg. F.

16 to 21 deg. F.

30 to 36 deg. F.

Wind direction:

East

East

Light winds

Wind speed:

15 mph

15 mph

Light winds

Expected snowfall:

0 in.

0 in.

0 in.

Disclaimer

This snowpack summary applies only to backcountry areas in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area. Click here for a map of the area. This snowpack summary describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This snowpack summary expires in 48 hours unless otherwise noted. The information in this snowpack summary is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

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